Downtown nightclub 'riot' results in 14 arrests; 3 cops injured

LOWELL -- More than a dozen people were arrested and three Lowell police officers were injured during an early morning brawl inside Fortunato's nightclub at the corner of Middle and Palmer Streets.

The business was closed Friday morning by the Board of Health. A sign stating alerting the public to the city's decision is posted on the front door.

Lowell Police Superintendent Ken Lavallee described the brawl, which broke out at about 1:30 a.m. Friday, "the worst in recent memory."

There were "approximately between 250 and 300" people present inside the club when "a riot broke out," according to Lavallee.

"There were multiple combatants, people throwing bottles, chairs -- any type of projectiles they could find to throw within the establishment," said Lavallee, who received a verbal account of the melee from the police department's on-scene commander, Capt. Bill Taylor.

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Lavallee said, "every available on-duty police officer in the city was summoned to the scene," and State Police, Tyngsboro, Dracut, UMass Lowell police officers also assisted in bringing an end to the violence, and making arrests.

"Thirteen people were arrested, most of them coming from outside of Lowell," said Lavallee.

"As the brawl took place, our officers were assaulted, head-butted, and objects were thrown at the officers," the Lowell police superintendent said.

(Lowell, MA-02/10/12) Scene inside Fortunatos as seen through a window this morning. (Sun photo by Jon Hill)

"It was one of the worst incidents in recent memory, according to the way Capt. Taylor descried it.

Lavallee said it was the latest in what appears to be a disturbing trend of Lowell restaurants-turned-nightclubs turning the downtown area into a wild-west combat zone.

Additional officers will be assigned to patrolling the downtown area tonight, "as many as we can muster to deal with this issue and try to keep a lid on (the violence)," the chief said.

"The continuing escalation of downtown violence is a very serious and problematic issue. It's very disconcerting," Lavallee added. "We're going to have a special meeting of the City Council on Thursday night to discuss this."

Lowell police will issue a press release later today containing the names of those arrested and a list of charges they are facing, Lavallee said.

"We're going to bring whatever charges are necessary in this matter, and we're also going to report everything to the licensing commission," said Lavallee. "We're also going to take other measures, if necessary, to keep this establishment (Fortunato's) in check and keep it in line."

Lavallee said it had not yet been determined whether Fortunato's was operating above its legal occupancy limit at the time the brawl broke out. Preliminary reports indicated there were patrons under the age of 21 present, he said.

The incident occurred in the immediate wake of downtown property owners and prominent businessmen imploring city leaders to take measures to control early-morning violence they believe is fueled by alcohol.

City Manager Bernie Lynch was scheduled to summon political leaders and top police department officials to his office Friday morning to discuss the latest developments.

Lynch said early this morning that he was very concerned by the initial reports on the riot.

The following individuals were arrested:

Miguel Fernandez, 25, Lawrence. He was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (beer bottle) affray, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.

Pierre Pierre Clemat, 21, Boston. He was charged with affray.

Nilsson Devasconcelos, 33, Andover. He was charged with affray and disturbing the peace.

Jason Sanon, 20, Cambridge. He was charged with disorderly conduct.

Aser Honore, 26, Lowell. He was charged with disorderly conduct.

Ccshron Brown, 23, Lowell. He was charged with affray.

Carlos Feliz, 20, Lawrence. He was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Jovan Siri, 18, Lowell. He was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, affray and resisting arrest.

Brousseau Normil, 19, Cambridge MA. He was charged with affray and warrant for possession of class D substance.

Anthony Decontreras, 23, Lowell. He was charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon (chair), affray and resisting arrest.

Rolando Fernandes, 22, Lawrence. He was charged with affray.

Richie Hernandez, 19, Lawrence. He was charged with disturbing the peace and resisting arrest.

Joshua Saldarriaga, 21, Dracut. He was charged with affray, assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.

Cheury Gomez, 21, Cambridge. He was charged with affray and resisting arrest.

This morning, prosecutors wanted Gomez, Saldarriaga, Hernandez, Fernandez and Decontreras held on $750 bail. Judge Barbara Pearson ordered them released on personal recognizance.

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